Hydrocarbon vapor or gas generator



N0. 6l9,059. Patented Feb. 7, I899. 6. WASHINGTON.

HYDROCABBON VAPOR OR GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed July 6 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

1 ETERS ca. mmwumo WASHINGTON o c No. 6l9,059. Patented Feb. 7, I899. G. WASHINGTON.

HYDROCARBON VAPOR 0R GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed July 6, 1897.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented Feb. 7, I899. G. WASHINGTON.

HYDROGARBON VAPOR OR GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed July 6, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO THEWASHINGTON LIGHTING COMPANY, OF MAINE.

HYDROCARBON VAPOR OR .GASGENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 619,059, dated. February 7, 1899.

Application filed July 6, 1897. Serial No. 643,636. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: D, a starting-cup E, a mixing-chamber F, a

Be it known that I, GEORGE WASHINGTON, vapor-cylinder G, and a burner H. of Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium, have in- The vaporizing-tube D is provided at its vented certain newand useful Improvements inner end with a plug (1, having a conical 5 in Hydrocarbon Vapor or Gas Generators; opening adapted to be wholly or partly closed and I do hereby declare the following to be a by the needle-valve d, which latter extends full, clear, and exact description of theinventhroughout the length of the tube and is attion, such as will enable others skilled in the tached at its outer end, or the end removed artto which it appertains to make and use the from the heat of the burner, to the valveto same. actuating handle d The valve (1 passes My invention relates to an improvement in through the coupling (1 and the handle (1 is hydrocarbon vapor or gas generators, the obmounted on said coupling and is provided ject of the invention being to provide a dewith a spiral slot d to receive the pin (1 carvice of the character indicated for generatried by the coupling (F, the spiral slot being I 5 ing and supplying vapor or gas to any of the open at its end adjacent to the burner, so as well-known forms of gas-stoves or gas-burnto permit the needle-valve to be wholly withers now universally employed for cooking drawn from the vaporizing-tube for the purand heating purposes. pose of removing any deposit that may be With these ends in view my invention con formed thereon, and the couplingd can be 2o sists in the parts and combinations of parts, removed for the purpose of cleaning out the as will be more fully described, and pointed interior of the vaporizing-tube. With this out in the claims. construction it will be seen that by turning In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is handle (I in onedirection the needle-valve is a view showing my improvement applied to moved longitudinally in a direction to close 25 an ordinary gas-log for heating purposes. the vapor-exit opening and by turning the Fig. 2 is a view of the generator detached handle in the opposite direction the needlefrom the stove. Fig. 3 is a View in section valve is moved longitudinally in a direction through the vaporizer. Fig. 4. is a View in to open the vapobexit. longitudinal section through the gas-cham- Oil is supplied from the reservoir to the vap- 30 her and mixing-chamber. Fig. 5 is aview in orizing-tube through a pipe connected to the section through the gas chamber and burner, coupling at the opening (1. The reservoir, and Fig. 6 is a view in transverse section which is not shown and which forms no part through the generator. of the present invention, may be carried by A represents a gas-stove, which in the presthe vaporizing-tube, or it may be independent 8 5 35 ent instance is represented as an ordinary thereof and communicate with the tube by gas-log. I would have it distinctly undermeans of a suitable pipe. stood, however, that I do not limit the appli- The vaporizer above described is removably cation of the invention to any particular form secured to the generator by the set-screw I, of stove, as it is applicable for use in conneccarried by the bracket I of the generator 13, 0 0 tion with any of the well-known forms of gas and normally rests with its discharge end heating or cooking stoves now in general use. within the opening f of the mixing-chamber While I have shown the generator B con- F. In order to prevent sediment in the vapnected directly to and supported by the stove orizing-tube from clogging the escape-orifice, A, I would also have it understood that this I have provided the vaporizing-tube with a 5 45 is not essential, as the generator may be sefilter F which latter filters the gas and abcured to a wall or structure removed from the solutely bars the passage of carbon or other stove; but in any event the generator is promatter deposited by the oil. This filter convided with a pipe or coupling 0, by means of sists simply of a perforated disk f forming which the vapor generated is conducted to the an abutment for a mass of loose asbestos f. 50 stove or to a pipe leading to the stove. The asbestos permits of the ready passage of This generator comprises a vaporizing-tube the gas, but retards all solids or semisolids.

This mixing-chamber F is preferably cylindrical in form and is provided at its inner end with a depending cylindrical hollow leg F for the admission of air. Secured in the lower open end of the leg F by frictional contact or otherwise is the plug F which latter is provided with a side opening or openings f for the entrance of air. This plug can be adjusted within the open lower end of the leg F so as to expose more or less of the openin g or openings therein for admitting a greater or lesser quantity of air. The air thus admitted into the leg passes or is drawn by the vapor discharged into the mixer upwardly into'the mixer, where it is intimately mixed with the hydrocarbon vaporgeneratedin the vaporizer. The air and vapor thus mixed pass from the mixing-chamber E into the vapor or gas cylinder G through the angular connection F The mixing-chamber F and cylinder G are arranged parallel and in close relation to each other, and being connected by a short pipe at right angles to the chamher and cylinder it follows that the air and vapor in making the abrupt turns from the chamber to the cylinder are intimately commingled.

The vapor or gas cylinder Gis in effect the body of the generator and carries and supports the mixing-chamber, vaporizing-tube, and burner. This cylinder receives the mixed vapor and air and is designed to store therein a sufficient quantity to maintain a fixed and steady supply to the burner or burners.

H is the burner connected to the cylinder G, near the end adjacent to the handle of the needle-valve, by the pipe h. This burner consists of a tube having a series of perforations, through which the mixed air and vapor escape, and is located adjacent to the cylinder G and under the vaporizing-tube D and operates to not only vaporize the oil in the vaporizer, but also to keep the mixed air and vapor in the cylinder G in a highly-heated condition.

In order to regulate the supply of vapor from the cylinder G to the burner, I have provided the burner H with the valve h. valve is simply a cylindrical plug, hollow or solid, provided with abeveled inner end and an outer end having angular shoulders for the engagement of a key or wrench, by which the valve is turned. By means of the plug the opening between the cylinder G and burner II can be opened or closed, and by beveling the end of the valve the size of the opening can be regulated to supply just the needed quantity of gas or vapor, and thus prevent any waste of gas or excessive pressure in the burner H.

In order to insure the complete combustion of the mixed air and vapor, I provide the burner-tube with the adjustable deflector L. This deflector comprises a split sleeve having at one edge an outwardly-turned flange. The burner rests well up to and parallel with the vapor-cylinder, and hence the vapor or gas This jets are protected from direct currents of air on the side adjacent to the cylinder G. The outwardly-turned flange above referred to is therefore for protecting the jets from currents of air on the side farthest from the cylinder, or, in other words, is for preventing the outside air from commingling with the mixed air and vapor while the latter is being consumed. This split sleeve can be turned on the burner-tube to bring the flange nearer to or farther away from the vapor-openings and can, if desired, be provided with a setscrew or other means for holding it against accidental movement.

Secured to the leg or air-inlet pipe F", by means of a clamp f or otherwise, is the starting-cup E. This cup is approximately the length of the vaporizing-tube D and is designed to contain alcohol suflicient to start the generator. WVhen this generator is applied to the back of a gas-log, the startingcup would be in a situation diflicult, of access. Hence I have provided the generator with the filling tube or pipe M, the upper end of which is accessible from the front of the stove, while the lower end terminates over the starting-cup. This tube carries an asbestos wick appreciably smaller in diameter than the tube. Hence it will be seen that by pourin g alcohol into the tube it will be discharged into the starting-cup, and by applying a lighted match to the upper end of the wick the flame will pass through the tube and ignite the alcohol inthe cup. Prior, however, to igniting the alcohol the oil-supply is opened and a quantity of oil allowed to flow into the vaporizer. The alcohol is then ignited, and the heat therefrom vaporizes the oil in the tube D, and by now opening the valve the vapor escapes into the mixing-chamber and passes from thence through the vapor-cylinder into the burner. As soon as the mixed air and vapor begins to issue from the burner it is ignited by the burning alcohol, and the heat therefrom rapidly vaporizes the oil.

In order to insure the continuous vaporiza tion of oil in quantities sufficient to supply the demands made on a generator of the character indicated, I have found it necessary to provide the vaporizing-tube with an enlarged heating-surface adapted to absorb a large proportion of the heat generated and retain it in close proximity to the tube. In the present instancel have provided the vaporizing-tube with a trough-shaped integral hood D projecting beyond the sides of the tube and constructed to deflect the flames onto the tube. This hood may be perforated at intervals, may be of any other shape, and

- be made separate from, but in contact with,

the vaporizer.

This generator can be connected directly with the stove or heater, or it can be located at a distance therefrom and connected by a pipe, and, if desired, the single generator can be arranged to supply all the gas needed for a series of gas-stoves.

IIO

It is evident that many slight changes and alterations might be resorted to in the relative arrangement of parts herein shown and described. Hence I would have it understood that I do not Wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein shown and described; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a vapor-generator the combination with a vaporizing-tube having a heat-retaining hood, and a valve for controlling the escape of vapor therefrom, of a mixing-chainher, an air-pipe leading thereto and a burner for heating the vaporizing-tube, substantially as set forth.

2. In a vapor-generator the combination 'Wihh a removable vaporizing-tube having a heat-retaining hood and a removable needlevalve, of a mixing-chamber in line with the vaporizing-tube, a vapor or gas cylinder parallel with the mixing-chamber and vaporizin g-tube, and a burner located under the vaporizing-tube and adjacent to the vapor-cylindeln 3. The combination with a vaporizing-tube, a mixing-chamber a gas or vapor cylinder and a supply-pipe leading from the latter, of a burner located under the vaporizing-tube and substantially between the latter and the vapor-cylinder, and a deflector on said burner.

4. The combination with a vaporizing-tube, a mixing-chamber a gas or vapor cylinder, and a supply-pipe leading from said cylinder, of a burner located under the vaporizingtubeand substantially between the latter and the vapor-cylinder and an adjustable deflector on said burner.

5. The combination with a vaporizing-tube, a mixing-chamber, an air-pipe discharging into the latter, and a starting-cup, of a fillingtube having its discharge end located over the starting-cup, and a wick loose in the fill ing-tube.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

G. WASHINGTON,

Witnesses:

A. W. Bnren'r, G. F. DOWNING. 

